Big Country – “In A Big Country” (1983)

Youtube ^ | 3/16/2017 | Staff

[simpson96]

Hope you enjoy. ”In A Big Country”

[simpson96]

Music *ping*

[SilvieWaldorfMD]

Underrated band.

Better than U2 in some instances.

RIP Stuart Adamson.

[Alberta's Child]

Awesome 1980s tune. One of the most underrated bands of all time, IMHO.

"I never took the smile away from anybody's face."

[Alberta's Child]

Interesting item from Adamson's Wikipedia page ...

U2's The Edge delivered the eulogy at Adamson's funeral which was held at Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline. He told the mourners that Big Country wrote the songs that he wished U2 could write.

[T-Bone Texan]

This is the song that spurred my interest in bagpipes!

Now I know it was simply a guitar effect, sadly.

[Disambiguator]

Here’s another “Big Country” song from the same era.

:^)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dErdvJrv8JE

[Scrambler Bob]

Been listening to Big River and Big City songs.

Thanks.

[philled]

"and that's a desperate way to look for someone who is still a child."

I loved that line and the song!

[Alberta's Child]

Here's an awesome 1980s-vintage country/rock song with a similar "fake bagpipe" sound to it ...

Steve Earle - Copperhead Road

All kinds of strings in this one: 12-string electric guitar, bass, steel guitar, mandolin, banjo. I could listen to the last two minutes of this tune a thousand times in a row and I'd never get bored of it. The guitar work is really awesome.

[SilvieWaldorfMD]

OMG Alberta! I had no idea! Thanks for sharing!

On another note, I do recall that Bono once stated that he wishes he’d written The Police’s “Invisible Sun”, about the troubles between the Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland.

I wish I could remember where it was that I read an extensive article about Big Country in 2002 or 2003 — it was an interesting and informative read.

Take Care!

[Sicon]

Ah, when MTV was... MTV.

[daltec]

Thanks a lot! My favorite Big Country song is probably "Where the Rose is Sown."

"I wait here in this hole
Playing poker with my soul
I hold the rifle close to me
It lights the way to keep me free
If I die in a combat zone
Box me up and ship me home
If I die and still come home
Lay me where the rose is sown
Sons of men who stand like gods
We give life to feed the cause
And run to ground our heathen foe
Our name will never die
This time will be forever"

Plus, Tony Butler.

[daltec]

A great song from a great album, regardless of whatever you may or may not think of the artist himself. Speaking of strings, etc etc, “Johnny Come Lately” is a great song too and even featured the Pogues! Tin whistle, even.

[Alberta's Child]

Thanks!

I heard a similar story from a DJ on a New York City FM radio station some years ago. He insisted that John Lennon went to his grave wishing he had written the song "A White Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum. His reasoning for this was that he would frequently see Lennon driving his Bentley around in New York City back in the 1970s, and whenever he saw him in warmer weather with the windows down he ALWAYS heard that song playing on the car stereo.

[DAC21]

Always wondered what the Guitar / Amp / Effects set up was on this song. Bagpipish sound

[DAC21]

The USA 7” of this single came in a very nice Poster Sleeve. Bought two and think I still have one stowed away somewhere.

[T-Bone Texan]

Familiar with that awesome sing.

But question remains: What is the actual instrument making the bagpipe noise?

Can’t nail it down.

[Flag_This]

I always liked “Eiledon”.

[Alberta's Child]

I’ve read in a few places that it was done with a synthesizer.